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The Guardian

‘I was struck by this little boy': inside Travellers' horse fairs

Frederik Rüegger spent more than two years visiting Great Britain and Ireland for his first publication about Roma or Travellers' horse fairs. Frederik Rüegger: I Am a Stranger in This Country is published by Kehrer Verlag Rüegger's title, l Am a Stranger in This Country, reflects his status as a visitor and also that of the Travellers as outsiders in British and Irish society Rüegger travelled to the few places and events where the Traveller community can still keep their traditions and customs alive Frederik Rüegger: 'This photo was taken at the Appleby horse fair. It's one of my favourites in the book because there's so much to discover. A good photo, to me, isn't easy to understand – it's like a riddle that might never be fully solved. It leaves space for speculation and imagination. I love that three generations are present in this single frame. The image feels almost from another time – certain elements, like the stroller, appear antique. I find that romantic, especially in contrast to how quickly everything else is evolving in our world today. Maybe that's why I still shoot on film' The book is a striking visual testimony to a community's resilience and a way of life under threat 'To me, photographing is 99% waiting and anticipating. But when all the stars finally align, beautiful things can happen. This photo, for me, brings together elements of fashion and documentary photography – two worlds I actively work in. I'm drawn to the effortless spontaneity of a snapshot, especially when it meets the elegance and extravagance of fashion' 'When I shoot I like to be invisible most of the time. I want the moment to be the most natural. My aim is to provide an intimate and authentic portrayal of Traveller communities and to capture moments that reveal both the beauty of their culture and the challenges they face' The community has been subject of discrimination and social marginalisation for a long time. Lately, Brexit has worsened their societal standing and led to a general increase in prejudice against anything perceived as 'different' 'When I came across this boy, I was struck by the power of the moment. The casual way he held his gun and walked his dog made him seem like an adult already. But as I began photographing, I started to sense the vulnerability and shyness beneath the surface. To me, photography is largely about understanding and learning from one another – a constant pull and push, like yin and yang. It's about empathy, not just about pulling the trigger' In an essay in the book, Gerry Badger writes: 'The general ambience at horse fairs is a magnet for the photographer of a street photography persuasion. Rüegger's vibrant, complex images capture all the excitement and social interaction in the country towns where Travellers traditionally meet – to display and trade horses but also to engage in a wide range of cultural activities, including selling other goods and making music together' In recent years, the spread of misinformation and hate against the communities on social media has grown significantly The political situation has intensified as well: some local authorities have prevented Travellers from continuing to use common land they have traditionally inhabited. The current political climate thus poses a serious threat to the freedom of this community Frederik Rüegger: 'My work centres around the profound and intricate tapestry of human culture. Each photograph I take is a fragment of a larger reality, one that seeks to capture and convey the essence of communities, traditions and the subtle interplay of history and modernity' Badger: 'Rüegger describes himself as a documentary photographer. His approach can be as informal as the events he attends. He mirrors their somewhat chaotic nature with photographs that frequently utilise frame edges to create (if this is not a contradiction in terms) a formal informality that recreates the visual flux in front of him'